Quick SummaryCozy Japanese restaurant that offers Kaiseki (prix fixe) with excellent service. Try to book reservations a few weeks in advance. The service and atmosphere were excellent. Appetizers were excellent. But the entrees and dessert were average. Was very excited to try this restaurant, but was disappointed, probably due to high expectationsFood- 4 starsThe Kaiseki was 7 courses. Started out well with the appetizers but flounded towards the finish lineThe appetizers prior to sashimi were all very good and thought out. I would give it 5 stars to startThe sashimi and sushi that came before and after the grilled and steamed dish were good and fresh. Slight compliant that the fish was slightly colder than desiredThe grilled and steamed dishes (which you have 3 options each) was when things began to somewhat unravel-Grilled lobster with tama miso sauce- the lobster was cooked perfectly, but the miso sauce was overly sweet. The balance was pretty off, which was disappointing because the lobster tail was cooked perfectly-Wagyu- I can see why a few reviewers mentioned it tasted like sausage. It was pretty disappointing-Seafood steamed in citrus bowl with miso bechamel sauce- it was interesting seeing this plate served in an orange bowl. However, the sauce was so gelatinous and heavy that it was not an enjoyable experience-Fresh water eel and monkfish liver- was really disappointed that there was bones in the eel and that the monkfish liver lacked any flavor. The whole dish was overly sweetDessert- it was a mochi crepe with fruit sort of dessert. It was good, but would've better if served hot or warmService- 5 starsPhenomenal service. Very accommodating without being too overbearing.Ambiance/Value- 5 starsIt's a small neighborhood restaurant that makes for a great date nightBottom LinePerhaps Yoichi's catered too much to Western tastes, as the food ventured towards Fusion Japanese and didn't satisfy. The appetizers were great, but it went downhill when it got to the grilled and steamed dishes. Will add an extra star for their service and ambiance
Each coarse delivered made me reevaluate what my taste buds and what I thought was good food.It was all great, in particular the wagyu on sesame sauce. Very happy with the selection there. Each course had something special from the ultra soft tofu in fish sauce and steamed lotus root to the AMAZING sashimi, in particular the Striped Jack (Shima-Aji) and to the very satisfying blend of fruit, red bean and cinnamon in the dessert!Highly recommend and very happy for my first ever Kaiseki experience
This is an absolutely authentic Japanese KAISEKI dining which is interpreted by the creativty of the chef. We were completely satisfied with everything!
What a wonderful experience!Kaiseki dinner with careful selected seasonal ingredients, exceptionally prepared and presented. DELICIOUS.Bravo chef Yoichi!Daisuke and Heysu delivered friendly and attentive service to make this dinner a complete experience.
The service is warm and attentive. The atmosphere is elegant yet casual. Diners dress up or not - anything goes. Every dish is creative and visually appealing. Almost every bite carries a wow factor. Every morsel of seafood is super fresh. Especially marvelous is the seafood in a citrusy miso béchamel sauce baked in a hollowed out orange. Yoichi's is a gem. I can't wait to go back.
Great experience at Yoichi's.A very charming, small restaurant that takes great care in presentation and flavor of their dishes.The food was great. Fresh and photographs well. The staff was friendly, helpful and fast. The whole experience made for a lovely Friday evening.The one issue I had was trying to eat steamed crab with chopsticks.
Yoichi’s provides a first class, low-key meal experience. It’s served by thoughtful, creative and borderline perfectionists. Every dish comes out flawlessly and allows plenty of time to savor each one. Highly recommended if you’re in the mood for authentic Japanese dishes that aren’t limited to sushi.
Splendid in every way. One of the best meals I've had in ages. The service is warm and attentive. The food (for us) had the perfect balance between familiar/comforting and "huh, I don't think I've had that before". The flavors are both delicate and intensely delicious. Lots of umami here. Even the dessert course which can sometimes be a throw away actually blew us away (fruit and bean filled mochi dumplings/raviolis). I cannot wait to return!
nice service and good food.
Let me start out by saying my husband and I are foodies and I never do reviews, butThis experience was so disappointing I wanted to encourage others to reconsider before wasting a perfectly good evening to experience wonderful Santa Barbara. Crab legs were over cooked, Uni probably was too as it was liquified. Sake was the best thing about this meal. The sushi did not seem fresh. Waygu beef is from Australia and tasted like poor quality meat. Nothing really tasted great.